GENIUS (Michael Grandage).104 minutes. Opens Friday (June 17). See listing. Rating: NN
Here’s a movie that should be right up my alley. It’s about the job I do, editing – specifically how legendary literary editor Max Perkins (Colin Firth) wrangled the extravagant prose of Thomas Wolfe (Jude Law) into some great -fiction.
But, boy, is it obvious that director Michael Grandage has roots in the theatre. He’s made some showy choices that have zero cinematic value or meaning. He’s leached the film of any colour – even California is dull. His favourite shot in the streets of New York City is of people’s feet. Walking. In slow motion.
And Law’s performance is so big – snake-like movements, a broad Southern drawl – you’d think he was doing a solo stage show. There’s no room for anyone else.
Maybe that’s why Grandage makes the rest of the cast so small. Firth, who for some reason never takes off his hat, is barely there. The women, Laura Linney as Perkins’s wife and Nicole Kidman (whose face, thankfully, has recovered – it moves) as Wolfe’s lover and patron are wasted.
And why is it always raining? Between that and the difficult-to-place accents (almost English, not American enough, except for Law, who’s out of control), someone who knew nothing about Scribner would think the setting was London.
Fun to hear the editor and author arguing – but only for someone with my job.
